16
As they breached the surface, Kai searched around them, looking for the boat that was supposed to pick them up to take them toward the mainland, but everywhere he looked, he only saw open water.
Hollyn asked, “What do we do now?”
Kai checked the coordinates again. The boat should’ve been right here. “I’m not sure.”
“There’s only one thing to do then.”
Kai glanced over at Hollyn, surprised to see her calm demeanor. Gone was the fear of the ocean and of her own power. He could see that she felt in control, and it was a good look on her.
“What’s that?”
“Catch a current and swim there ourselves.”
Kai shrugged and said, “I’m game if you are.”
Agreed on a plan, Kai checked the coordinates and got the general direction they needed to go. They both dove back into the water after Hollyn took a large breath, and they held hands as they were pulled into a fast-moving current in the right direction.
After a little time, they rose to the surface so that Hollyn could fill her lungs once more before diving into the current again and traveling through what was essentially the ocean superhighway system. On the next trip to the surface, though, the pair were surprised to see a large volcanic island that hadn’t been on any map that Kai had ever seen. He rechecked his coordinates and knew they were on the right path. Then, where had this smoking volcano come from?
“Kai, do you see that?”
“Yeah, I see it. I’m not sure how it’s here though.”
“No, not the island. Do you see the figure way up on the mountainside closest to us.”
Kai searched the landscape of the mountainous island, noting the pillar of worrying smoke rising from the center, until he spied the figure Hollyn had noticed. It looked like a lone figure waving frantically.
“I think we have to go check it out, Hollyn.”
She agreed, and they swam toward the nearest shoreline that looked like they could actually access the beach. Once they were standing on the rocky surface, they could no longer see the person that had seemed to be signaling them. All they could do was climb, so they did. They trekked upward, through a dense, rocky landscape, searching for any sign of life.
Halfway up, Kai heard a female voice calling out. It sounded familiar, and Hollyn and he stopped to listen closer. They looked at each other, and began to push themselves quickly up the mountainous terrain.
Sure enough, when they crested a particular rocky formation, Willow stood on the cliff above them.
Hollyn cried out, “Willow! Thank goodness you’re okay!”
At that moment, the entire landscape rumbled, and Kai reached for the side of the mountain to try to brace himself. He held out a steadying arm and grabbed Hollyn around the waist,pulling her toward him. The shaking faded after ten seconds or so.
Kai stated the obvious, “We need to get Willow and get off this island as quickly as possible. I wish the boat had been where they said they’d be.”
Hollyn raised a hand and pointed down toward the water below. “I think I know why they didn’t arrive on time.”
Kai followed the direction she pointed and saw a boat, nearly broken in half, leaning against the rocky shoreline.
“How do you know that was supposed to be our boat?”
She shrugged. “Call it a hunch, but…” She pointed upward toward Willow. Fate had been at work once more.
Kai nodded. It was as good an explanation as any. He looked upward and shouted, “Willow, do you think you can climb down to us?”
The teen cried out, “I’m scared. I need you to come get me, Kai. Please, come get me!”
“Stay right there. I’m on my way.”
Kai turned toward Hollyn and said, “I’m going to climb straight up the rock ledge. I need you to stay here and be ready to help her down. Okay?”
